Government to introduce same uniform in all schools.

The government has revealed an ambitious new plan to have all
primary and secondary school students might soon wear the same uniform
following a proposal by the Kenya Parents Association (KPA).

Confirming the plans, Education Principal Secretary Belio
Kipsang said that his Ministry was in discussion with stakeholders to change
the uniform policy and have schools adopt same colour and fabric.

According to the PS, the parents’ suggestion came after they
complained of on the high cost of buying uniform from different shops.

Speaking at the Moi University-owned Rivatex firm in
Eldoret, Kipsang challenged local textile industries to prepare to
manufacture the new uniforms once the new policy is adopted.

The PS lauded the university for its foresight in
identifying the revival of the textile company that had collapsed.

“Initially we thought it would just be a training facility
for Moi University but later on it became a production company and now it’s
turning out to be a major economic project for the country,” said Kipsang.

He was optimistic that the policy would ensure safety of
children, adding that a common attire would protect the learners from
predators.

“We want to protect our children from predators so that when
we see them in town being lured to places that are not good, we can be able to
know that they are our students and act decisively,” he said.

He said the ministry was working closely with parents, head
teachers and all education stakeholders on the policy.

He said the government would continue to invest more in
education institutions so that they play a critical role in providing require
manpower for the country and also play a role in economic growth.

“We want the education institutions to play a role in
helping us to implement the Big Four Agenda as outlined President Uhuru,” said
the PS.

The parents’ association has suggested a grey uniform for
primary schools and a blue one for secondary schools.

According to the association, the one-uniform policy would
dismantle cartels that worked closely with some head teachers to fleece parents
through single-sourced uniforms.

Similarly, the new proposal specifies how the students
should wear their uniforms.

“As per the recommendations, all girls’ uniforms will reach
below the knee,” said the association’s chairman Nicholas Maiyo after a
one-week workshop hosted by the parents’ association in Machakos County last
week.

The association is upbeat that the proposal will sail
through and that students will start wearing a common uniform by January 2019.

The proposal has received mixed reactions from parents and
teachers.

Julius Korir, the national vice-chairman of the Kenya Union
of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) dismissed the proposal as unpopular
and colonial.

“I urge Dr Belio not to rush to unpopular policies. I
propose the banning of school uniforms because they are colonial,” said Mr
Korir.